Using National Longitudinal Study Youth Survey data for 1,241 males and 1,143 females, runaway status in early adolescence--ages 14-15 years--was associated with subsequent--4 years later--substance abuse, alcohol problems, and school-dropout status. Gender and number of runaway episodes were considered. Repeat-runaways reported higher substance use/abuse levels than "never" and "once" runaways. (TJH)